Main website address : www.iht.com
Article title : In rubble, Chinese couple clung to each other, and to life
Brief summary of the article
This is an article regarding one couple Wang and Li that got out alive from the earthquake which took place on May 12. They were buried in rubble for 28 hours and they were rescued at last. They encouraged each other by talking about their 14-year-old daughter and recalling their life together. They might have died if they had been trapped alone.
Word list:
debris
numb
lashing
crack
fate
rubble
rekindled
Definitions(my guess) through context
debris : pieces
numb : can’t feel any pain, paralyzed?
lashing : hit strongly
crack : gap which is damaged with lines on its surface
fate : destiny
rubble : many pieces of stones
rekindle : burn again
Use the words in an original sentence
He is standing up to the fear that he could dye in the debris.
He has gone numb with fear
He lashed at the wall with fear.
We can see many ants through the cracks on the rock.
Don’t be frustrated, you must be fated to succeed.
He cleared out the rubble.
He is trying to rekindle the love toward her.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
vocabulary in an article
Contrasting(revision)
Contrasting my Present Car with the Previous One
I have a red small car MatizII and I have ridden it since last year. Before I changed my car, I had a New Grandeur. On vacation from the arm, my brother-in-law borrowed my car for traveling, but unfortunately he caused a car accident and my car was crashed. In the end, I had to change the car. The new car was chosen just because it was cheap. My old car was much more expensive by more than 4 times than MatizII. In addition to the price, there are so many differences between the two car models
First, the size is very different. One is small and the other is big. MatizII is very small so we can drive it safely in the narrow alley or even in the road which many cars are parked on either side of. We don't have to worry about scratches both on my car and other's ones. It is also parked easily even by people who are not good at parking. On the contrary, New Grandeur is very big so we can move comfortably and children can sleep in the back seat stretching their legs. Also, a lot of luggage can be loaded and more people can get on it.
Second, the functions are different. MatizII has only basic functions: driving, air conditioning, warming, carrying baggage, etc. On the contrary, New Grandeur has a lot of additional functions; the seats can be warmed automatically, and a back of a front chair can be entirely pulled back so that we can lie down like a first class of an airplane.
Third, the maintenance costs are very different. In case of MatizII, it takes a little money. For example, we can go farther by driving MatizII than New Grandeur at the same fuel and repairing charge is much cheaper. A toll and the parking fee are relatively cheaper. Besides, fifty percent discount is also given because its capacity is less than 1,000cc. Actually an auto tax is so low that it can be ignored. But, we need more money in order to maintain New Grandeur. It takes a lot of oil so it is said that we need ￦1,000 to roll a tire just once. Usually we have to pay more money for a toll and the parking fee. We cannot expect any discount as for a big car.
The two cars have their own features and they make a lot of differences. MatizII has many weak points but it is enough for a family of five to get on. When I changed my car, the fact that I had to spend money which I had not expected to spend, made me angry, but now I believe that MatizII was a good choice. When I see this cute car, I look forward to the day when I will drive it some day.
Contrasting
Contrasting my Present Car with the Previous One
I have a red small car MatizII and I have ridden it since last year. Before I changed my car, I had a New Grandeur. On vacation from the arm, my brother-in-law borrowed my car for traveling, but unfortunately he caused a car accident and my car was crashed. In the end, I had to change the car. The new car was chosen just because it was cheap. My old car was much more expensive by more than 4 times than MatizII. In addition to the price, there are so many differences between the two car models
First, the size is very different. One is small and the other is big. MatizII is very small so we can drive it safely in the narrow alley and even in the road which so many cars are parked on either side of. So we don't have to worry about scratches both on my car and other's ones. It is also parked easily even by people who are not good at parking. On the contrary, New Grandeur is very big so we can move comfortably and children can sleep in the back seat stretching their legs. Also, a lot of luggage can be loaded and more people can get on it.
Second, the functions are different. MatizII has only basic functions: driving, air conditioning, warming, carrying baggage, etc. On the contrary, New Grandeur has a lot of additional functions; the seats can be warmed automatically, and a back of a front chair can be entirely pulled back so that we can lie down like a first class of an airplane.
Third, the maintenance costs are very different. In case of MatizII, it takes a little money. For example, we can go farther by driving MatizII than New Grandeur at the same fuel and repairing charge is much cheaper. A toll and the parking fee are relatively cheaper. Besides, fifty percent discount is also given because its capacity is less than 1,000cc. Actually an auto tax is so low that it can be ignored. But, we need more money in order to maintain New Grandeur. It takes a lot of oil so it is said that we need ￦1,000 to roll a tire just once. Usually we have to pay more money for a toll and the parking fee. We cannot expect any discount as for a big car.
The two cars have their own features and they make a lot of differences. MatizII has many weak points but it is enough for a family of five to get on. At that time, the fact that I spent money which I had not planned, made me angry but now I believe that MatizII was a good choice. When I see this cute car, I look forward to driving it by myself.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
expressions
agreement, partial agreement, disagreement
strong, neutral, weak
agree with somebody : totally
agree with something : partially agree with you
agree : both
agree with your suggestion : in favour of that
agree with you to an extent ..: some..but
disagreement : completely disagree
I can't support that : I am against that
diplomatic language : not extremely direct, softening once again. understate, would/could/may..ex)might be a problem
negative express의 좋은 표현 : not very + positive word(very가 중요) cf) not bad means quite good.
neutral : in my opinion, in my point of view. I feel that... It seems to me that..As I see it, I think,
weak : I tend to think, I am not sure...I am clined to think...it might be the case that. so weak하면 pushover로 보일수 있음
Abbreviation
not good for formal English
RSVP : please reply
ASAP : as soon as possible
TTYL : talk to you later
CU/CY : see you later
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Grammar
1.in addition : in addition to
2.otherwise, on the contrary : 부사(접속사적)
3.:과 ;
4. however : 문장 중간에 , ,로 들어갈수있음
1.in addition : 부사구(전치사+명사)
in addition to : to의 목적어가 되는 명사구가 있어야..명사절은 안됨
2.You think me idle, but, on the contrary, I am very busy.
He didn't stay home, on the contrary, he went out with his friends.
4. ; for example의 의미, 부가적인 설명, 대비
I like fruits; I even eat them as a meal
서로 대비하기(Newton, 1420; Einstein, 1800)
cf) I like fruits: oranges, apples, bananas, etc..(:은 예로서 명사 나열, 뒤에 문장이 나올수있지만 다른 용법임)
Monday, May 19, 2008
Active and passive
Active
While driving, I looked up at the sky by accident.
The beautiful scenery of the sunset fascinated me
The gorgeous red covered the sky.
As the time has passed, the sky turned grey and dark.
At last, the sky became totally black and starry.
Passive
While driving, the sky was seen by accident
I was fascinated by the beautiful scenery of the sunset
The sky was dyed in the gorgeous red.
As the time has passed, the red was weakened and the sky was totally colored dark grey and starry.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
If I had no children
If I had no children, how would be my life different?
I am married and have one child. I can't think about my life without my new family especially my precious daughter. But I sometimes imagine the situation that I have no kids. If I had no children, my life must have been absolutely different from my present life.
In the morning, I could get up late because I could save a lot of time to help my daughter to wash, wear and eat. I could also have more time to enjoy breakfast talking with my husband and to make up carefully. In addition to time, I would not choose casual wear every morning because I would not have to protect my kid in the shaking bus, to catch running kid, or to carry sleeping daughter on my back.
On Weekdays, I would arrive early at the University to attend this English course and I would stay more for study, And, on weekends, I would meet my friends, take a short trip or just take a rest because I would not have to wash her two pieces of blanket and to take her to the church choir or her friends' house.
In the evening, I would have more comfortable time to meet my coworkers or friends and it means that I would not have to check the time to leave the meeting, in the middle of cheerful talking, to run to the day care center to pick up my daughter. I would cook very hot and spicy food that my husband and I would like to eat. When I go to bed, I would not feel guilty or sorry that I didn't do my best for my daughter and my life itself.
My daughter is a part of my life and I am very happy with her. But I sometimes dream freer life that makes me spend time for myself.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Spoken English Written English
lexical : 20% 30-40%
grammatical : 80% 60%-70%
advantages of reading presentation
giving more information / more details
less mistakes
organize the structure better
less stressful / more comfortable
saving time for being accustomed to presentation(after making a presentation)
disadvantages of reading presentation
less catch the audience feedback / not flexible
it looks to be less prepared and to be less confident / may seem nervous/unprepared
easy to be boring / it could be very boring(impersonal)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
P/F sound practice
1. initial and middle sounds
My father played perfect football on Friday.
The field filled with 55 players and friends.
Players found pineapples around the fence
Fans pushed the fine players to eat pineapples.
2. finishing sound
My mother played the golf with scarf and rope.
She jumped up to the roof to catch a woolf.
She hoped to help a woolf bump to harp.
But she slipped due to soap and soup.
Monday, May 12, 2008
refutation
I understand what you are saying but...
I see your point but...
I see whay you are saying but...
I understand where you are coming from but...
Mobile Phone(revision)
Mobile Phone is the most representative electronic communication device that you can carry anywhere. Mobile Phone has very various uses. The most principal usage is to make and receive a call. We can connect people using mobile phone at anytime and anyplace. Other uses are to exchange voice and text messages and take a picture. It is also used as an alarm clock, a planner and a TV. These additional functions are attractive especially to young people. Mobile Phone supplies useful effects such as easy communication, security, banking and entertainment. It supports multitasking. Nowadays these various effects make the price of it much higher than before. Mobile Phone is a handful flat rectangular parallelepiped. It has a screen and buttons. We can use it by pressing the buttons or touching the screen. It has various colors and designs. These days, the demand of mobile banking and wireless internet gets the screen of it wider. The examples of mobile phone are Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, LG, etc. and the similar things are wireless telegraph, beeper, etc.. Mobile phone is very useful device if we use it to fit the time and place. It is penetrating our lives widely and getting an essential to our lives.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
mobile phone
Mobile Phone is the most representative electronic communication device that you can carry anywhere.
Mobile Phone has very various uses. The most principal usage of them is to make and receive a call. We can connect people using mobile phone at anytime and anyplace. Other uses are to send and receive voice and text messages and take a picture. It is also used as an alarm clock, planner and TV. These additional functions are attractive especially to young people.
Mobile Phone supplies useful effects such as easy communication, security, banking and entertainment. It supports multitasking. Nowadays these various effects make the price of it much higher than before.
Mobile Phone is a handful flat rectangular parallelepiped. It has a screen and buttons. We can use it by pressing the buttons or touching the screen. It has various colors and designs. These days, the demand of mobile banking and wireless internet gets the screen of it wider.
The examples of mobile phone are Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, LG, etc. and the similar things are wireless telegraph, beeper, etc.
Mobile phone is very useful device if we use it to fit the time and place. It is penetrating our lives widely and getting an essential to our lives.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Something to do on this weekend
I will take my daughter to the kindergarten choir in the church on Saturday morning. During her practice, we, the mothers of the choir members, attend a meeting and talk about various things to bring up the children.
After lunch, We will go to a theatre to look at a children musical. The musical is a special performance for children's day. I have tried to take my daughter to some music concerts but she has not been interested in the concerts but the playgrounds ; the places for young children who are not allowed to enter the concert hall. So I hope that my daughter will come into the concert hall and enjoy it.
On Sunday, we will go to church as usual.
After that, we will go to my parents' house. my daughter loves to go there and meet many relatives. I will enjoy the weekend very much with my family. 